Vacuum water dump quench

ABSTRACT

A heating furnace and a quench chamber are horizontally spaced from each other in a chamber which may be evacuated to a subatmospheric pressure. A transfer mechanism moves a load between the quench chamber and heating furnace, and a hydraulically actuated gate valve is vertically movable between the quench chamber and heating furnace to close off the quench chamber. A storage tank positioned above the quench chamber dumps liquid into the quench chamber, and this liquid may be recirculated back to the storage tank.

United States Patent 1 1 3,633,895

[ 72] Inventors Kurt Genrich [5 6] References Cited Park; UNITED STATESPATENTS [21] A 1 N0 gg g 2,752,147 6/1956 Besselman etal. 266/4 R [22]ff g 6 1970 3,441,452 4/1969 Westeren 266/4 A 9 [45] Patented Jan. 11,1972 Primary Examiner-Gerald A. Dost [73] Assignee Sola BasicIndustries, Inc. Atrorney-Smythe and Moore Milwaukee, Wis.

ABSTRACT: A heating furnace and a quench chamber are [54] VACUUM WATERDUMP QUENCH horizontally spaced from each other in a chamber which maybe evacuated to a subatmospheric pressure A transfer 9 Claims, 4 DrawingFigs.

mechanism moves a load between the quench chamber and [52] U.S. Clheating furnace! and a hydraulically actuated gate valve is vep Itically movable between the quench chamber and heating fur- "ace toclose offthe quench chamber A storage tank p0si t oned ab e the quencchamber dumps into the [53; M 4 4 6 R quench chamber, and this liquidmay be recirculated back to the storage tank.

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ATTORNEYS PATENTED JAN] 1 I972 SHEET 3 OF 3 2 26 INVIENTOR s. 27 fax rGEN/OCH GERHLU Z. jcarr- ATTORN EY$ VACUUM WATER DUMP QUENCI-I One formof a heat treating operation is a quenching process wherein a hot loadis submerged into a bath of quench liquid. It is desirable that the loadbe transferred out of the heat and submerged into the quench liquid asquickly as possible. It has been proposed to carry out such a quenchprocess under a vacuum in order to prevent any detrimental effect to thework, as might result from air or other atmospheres not compatible withthis requirement. In that form of apparatus where the load must bewithdrawn from the heat and then dipped into a quench tank, it isdesirable to minimize the time between the withdrawal of the load fromthe heating furnace and clipping of the load into the quench bath. Theconstruction of the entire apparatus is further complicated when it isdesired to carry out this entire process under a vacuum.

One of the objects of the present invention is to provide an improvedvacuum quenching apparatus.

Another of the objects of the present invention is to provide a vacuumapparatus within which a liquid quenching process can be carried outusing all types of quench liquids regardless of the level of vaporpressure these possess, such as oils, oilwater emulsions, straightwater, etc.

Another of the objects of the present invention is to provide a simpleyet effective structure for a vacuum liquid quenching apparatus tofacilitate quenching into liquids that cannot be exposed to a highvacuum without boiling and so defeat the desired vacuum.

According to one aspect of the present invention, a vacuum liquid quenchapparatus may comprise a chamber evacuable to a subatmospheric pressure,a heating furnace and a quench chamber being horizontally spaced fromeach other within the evacuable chamber. Valve means are provided forsealing off the quench chamber. Means are further provided forcirculating a quench liquid through the quench chamber. Attached to thequench chamber is a storage tank from which a liquid is dumped into thequench chamber through a conduit and then recirculated from the quenchchamber back to the storage tank. The evacuable chamber is furtherprovided with means for transferring a load between the heating furnaceand the quench chamber. When a hot load is withdrawn from the heatingfurnace and positioned within the quench chamber, valve means areactuated to close off the quench chamber so that the hot load may besubjected to a bath.

Other objects, advantages and features of the present invention will beapparent from the accompanying description and drawings, which aremerely exemplary.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a vertical longitudinal sectional view of the vacuum liquidquench apparatus according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along the line 2-2 of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along the line 33 of FIG. I; and

FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the quench chamber and of the apparatus ofFIG. 1 showing the manner in which the quench chamber can be swung to anopen position.

Proceeding next to the drawings wherein like reference symbols indicatethe same parts throughout the various views a specific embodiment of thepresent invention will be described in detail.

As may be seen in FIG. 1, the apparatus of the present invention isindicated generally at and comprises a chamber 11 which is connected toa vacuum source so that the entire chamber may be evacuated to asubatmospheric pressure. The chamber comprises a quench chamber 12 and aheating chamber 13 in which is mounted a heating furnace 14. The quenchchamber 12 and heating furnace 14 are horizontally spaced from eachother and are positioned on substantially the same center line. Theshell of the chamber 11, if desired, may be water jacketed. The furnaceis provided with heating elements 15 which are mounted vertically andconnected to a power transformer by vacuum tight and specially cooledterminals. Merely as an example, power may be applied to the heatingelements through saturable core reactors and stepdown transformer. Ifdesired. silicon controlled rectifier means may be used in place ofsaturable reactors.

The heating furnace is provided with an access opening 16 which can beclosed by a heat shield 17 mounted on the end of a hydraulicallyactuated piston rod 18 extending from hydraulic or fluid motor 19.

The heating furnace 14 is provided with an elevator for lifting a loadfrom the transfer mechanism. This elevator comprises four vertical posts20 interconnected by a yoke 21 on the end of a piston rod 22 extendingfrom a hydraulic or fluid motor 23.

Quenching tank 12 is pivotally mounted at 24 (FIGS. 2, 4) so as topermit it to be swung outwardly to the position indicated by the dashlines at 12' FIG. 4). The quench tank is provided with a flange 25 whichsealingly engages a flange 26 on a central section 27 of the chamber. Aplurality of toggle clamps 28 are spaced about flange 25 to secure thequench tank in position. Swinging outwardly of the quench tank providesfull access for maintenance or proper placing of intricate work. Inaddition, access is also provided to the gate valve which will bedescribed hereafter.

Central chamber 27 encloses a gate valve indicated generally at 29(FIG. 1) and comprises a pair of horizontally spaced plates 30 and 31having inner faces with gussets 32. Hydraulic piston shaft 33 carries atits lower end a lifting plate 34 with a wedge attached to its underside,which engages with the undersides of gussets 32 to lift plates 30 and31. Rod 33 extends from hydraulic motor 35 mounted on top of enclosure36 into which the plates 30 and 31 are raised. Plate 31 closes anopening leading to the furnace chamber 13, and gate 30 closes an openingleading to the quench chamber 12.

The quench chamber has a storage tank 37 mounted thereon for storing aquench liquid which may be water or oil. The lower end of tank 37 isconnected by means of conduit 38 to the lower portion of the quenchchamber 12 as may be seen in FIG. 2. A valve is provided at 39 tocontrol the dumping of quench liquid into the quench chamber.

If desired, storage tank 37 can also be provided with motor drivenagitators or circulators 40 (FIG. 2) mounted on output shaft 41 orelectric motor 42. In the lower portion of the tank 37, there isprovided an electrical immersion heater 43 mounted on the end of a shaft44. Indicator bulb 45 extends into the interior of the tank for sensingthe temperature of the quench bath within the tank.

The quench tank 12 is further provided with drain pipe 46 having drainvalve 47 therein. Drain line 46 is connected through valve 48 to acirculating pump 49 whose outlet 50 is connected by pipe 52 back to thestorage tank 37.

The entire quench tank assembly is supported upon frame 52 mounted onwide roll 53 for pivoting to the position as shown in FIG. 4.

The transfer mechanism for transferring a load indicated at 55 and 55'in the quench tank 12 and heating furnace 14, respectively, compriseshydraulically actuated rod 56 extending from hydraulic motor 56 (notshown). Rod 56A enters one end of the quench tank 12 and is providedwith a pair of horizontally extending arms 57 upon which load 55 canrest. The stroke of the rod 56A is sufficient to move the supportingarms 57 between the position as shown in the quench tank and theposition indicated by the dash line at 57 in the furnace 14.

In the operation of the apparatus according to the present invention,the quench tank assembly is initially swung to the position as shown inFIG. 4 and a load 55 positioned on the transfer arm 57. The assembly isthen closed and secured in place by toggle clamps 28. The gate valvecomprising plates 30 and 31 is at this time in its raised positiontogether with heat shield 17. The transfer mechanism moves the loadhorizontally to the position shown at 55 in the heating chamber. Thevertical elevator posts 20 are then raised sufficiently to engage theload 55 whereupon the transfer arms are withdrawn and the load islowered upon posts 20.

After closing of heat shield 17, the heating process can take place.After the load has been subjected to the requiredheating, elevator posts20 raise the load to the position shown in FIG. 1, the heat shield 17,the gate valve plates 30 and 31 raised, and the transfer mechanismextends arms 57 into the heating furnace to withdraw the load therefromto position 55. The heat shield 17 and gate valve are then closed andvalve 39 is opened to rapidly submerge the load in the quench liquid. Asan example, the apparatus can be set so that only about seconds timeelapses from he transfer of the load from the heating furnace to itswithdrawal into the quench tank and opening of the quench tank valve.

The quench tank is rapidly filled with quenching liquid. During thistime the entire chamber is maintained under a vacuum. During the timethe load is rapidly cooling in the liquid, the liquid, itself, iscirculated by the pump 50, which pumps the oil through valve 48 back tothe tank 37 from where is then cycles by flowing back into the quenchchanger.

At the expiration of the quenching time, the quench liquid can bedrained from the chamber through valve 47 or can be pumped back into thetank 37 for future use.

Toggle clamps 28 can then be released so that the quench assembly isopened to the position 12' in FIG. 4 and the load removed.

Reloading can be done by automatic sequencing, reversing the abovemovements. The entire apparatus could also serve as a straight annealingfurnace without subsequent quenching with the gate valve being used asthe charging door and the quench chamber removed.

It will be understood that various details of construction andarrangement of parts may be made without departing from the spirit ofthe invention except as defined in the appended claims.

We claim:

1. In a vacuum liquid quench apparatus, a chamber evacuable to asubatmospheric pressure, a heating furnace and a quench chamberhorizontally spaced from each other within said evacuable chamber, valvemeans for sealing off said quench chamber, means for circulating aquench liquid through said quench chamber, and means within said chamberfor transferring horizontally a load between said heating furnace andquench chamber.

2. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said circulat ing meanscomprises a storage tank positioned above said quench chamber, and aconduit from said tank to said quench chamber for feeding quench liquidthereto.

3. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said circulating meanscomprises a storage tank attached to said quench chamber, and a conduitfrom said tank to said quench chamber for feeding quench liquid thereto.

4. An apparatus as claimed in claim 2 including drain means leading fromsaid quench chamber, and a circulating pump having its inlet connectedto said drain means and its outlet to said tank.

5. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 including elevator means withinsaid heating furnace to lift a load from said transfer means wherebysaid transfer means can be withdrawn from the furnace 6. An apparatus asclaimed in claim 1 including a heat shield moveable to close saidheating furnace.

7. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said valve means comprisesa horizontally spaced pair of plates, one plate closing said quenchchamber and the other plate closing that portion of the evacuablechamber with the heating furnace therein.

8. An apparatus as claimed in claim 7 including means for verticallyraising and lowering said plates, and an enclosure extending from saidevacuable chamber and housing said plates when raised to the openposition.

9. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said transfer meanscomprises a piston horizontally movable within said evacuable chamber,and a pair of horizontally extending arms on the end of said piston forretaining a load and movable between said quench ch amber and hea tingfurnace.

UNITED STATES PATENT oFFIcE CERTIFMATE OF CQRRECTMN Patent No. 3,633,895Dated January lnvent fl Kurt Genrich and Gerald LL Scott It is certifiedthat error appears in the above-identified patent and that said LettersPatent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Column 2, line 51, "52" should be --51--. Column 3, line 5,

"are" omitted after "31". Column 3, line 18, 'is" should be --it--.Column 3, line 18, "chamger" should be --chamber--.

Signed and sealed this 15th day of August 1972.

(SEAL) Attest:

ROBERT GOTTSCHALK EDWARD M. FLETCHER, JR.

Commissioner of Patents Attesting Officer USCOMM-DC 60376-P69 U.S.GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE: [969 0-365-33

1. In a vacuum liquid quench apparatus, a chamber evacuable to asubatmospheric pressure, a heating furnace and a quench chamberhorizontally spaced from each other within said evacuable chamber, valvemeans for sealing off said quench chamber, means for circulating aquench liquid through said quench chamber, and means within said chamberfor transferring horizontally a load between said heating furnace andquench chamber.
 2. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein saidcirculating means comprises a storage tank positioned above said quenchchamber, and a conduit from said tank to said quench chamber for feedingquench liquid thereto.
 3. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 whereinsaid circulating means comprises a storage tank attached to said quenchchamber, and a conduit from said tank to said quench chamber for feedingquench liquid thereto.
 4. An apparatus as claimed in claim 2 includingdrain means leading from said quench chamber, and a circulating pumphaving its inlet connected to said drain means and its outlet to saidtank.
 5. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 including elevator meanswithin said heating furnace to lift a load from said transfer meanswhereby said transfer means can be withdrawn from the furnace
 6. Anapparatus as claimed in claim 1 including a heat shield moveable toclose said heating furnace.
 7. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1wherein said valve means comprises a horizontally spaced pair of plates,one plate closing said quench chamber and the other plate closing thatportion of the evacuable chamber with the heating furnace therein.
 8. Anapparatus as claimed in claim 7 including means for vertically raisingand lowering said plates, and an enclosure extending from said evacuablechamber and housing said plates when raised to the open position.
 9. Anapparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said transfer means comprises apiston horizontally movable within said evacuable chamber, and a pair ofhorizontally extending arms on the end of said piston for retaining aload and movable between said quench chamber and heating furnace.